MANCHESTER UNITED picked up their first Europa League win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Greek side PAOK.
Two second half goals from Amad Diallo won the game for interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side at Old Trafford.
- Kick off time: 8pm GMT
- TV channel: TNT Sports 2
- Live stream: discovery+
- Man Utd team: Onana, Dalot, Evans, Lindelof, Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Fernandes, Amad, Hojlund, Garnacho
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Fixtures await new manager
While Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of the next Premier League game against Leicester City, Ruben Amorim will then be in the position.
It is a favourable fixture list when he starts, before the tough test of a trip to North London to face Arsenal.
Anticipation is high in the red half of Manchester, believing the Sporting Lisbon manager is the man to take them back to where they want to be……..challenging for trophies.
Boss gives honest opinion
Speaking with BT Sports after the game, the manager was asked his thoughts on his side’s performance against PAOK:
We started with a pretty poor first half, which was not nice. Amad made the difference for us tonight. Positionally we weren’t good at all in the first half. Too much out of position. It was a lot better in the second half. If we can keep our positions then we have everything to play for. It is not helping the team when we leave our positions all the time.
Ruud van Nistelrooy
Diallo shines for van Nistelrooy
It seemed a bold call when the teams were announced that the interim manager dropped Rashford for Diallo but it proved a game-winning decision.
There was no doubting that the young winger was the man of the match tonight for the Red Devils.
He will enjoy all the attention from his performance this evening and will hopefully use that as a platform for the remainder of the season.
Youngster steals the show for Red Devils
Speaking with BT Sport after the game, Diallo was asked how it felt to get the goals to secure Man Utd’s first European win in over a year:
Nice. It has been a long time. It has been one year, it was important to win today. It is important to score everytime. I am happy to score two goals today. When I score I like to celebrate with the fans and make people enjoy.
Amad Diallo
View from SunSport’s Phil Thomas at Old Trafford
FIRST impressions count the most so, assuming Ruben Amorim was watching, Amad Diallo couldn’t have made a better one.
The smallest man on the pitch had the biggest heart, the biggest effort…and served up the biggest entertainment. Pretty much the only entertainment, to be honest.
If there was any luck in his opener, the second was down to grit AND glamour. His new gaffer will have been well impressed.
FT: Man Utd 2-0 PAOK
The stats suggest this was a comfortable victory for the hosts.
In reality, it was two moments of quality from Amad Diallo that was the difference between the two teams.
Other than his goals, the Red Devils did not ask very much of the PAOK keeper tonight.
That said, it is the result that matters most for Man Utd.
FT: Man Utd 2-0 PAOK
The referee brings the game to a close.
Man Utd get their first victory in Europe this season.
PAOK have to turn their attentions to their day jobs now.
Man Utd 2-0 PAOK
90+4. This result is in the bag now.
At times it looked in the balance but that second goal really killed this game off.
Van Nistelrooy remains unbeaten as interim manager.
Man Utd 2-0 PAOK
90+2. Immediately Zirkzee makes an impact.
He plays a superb crossfield ball to Fernandes out on the left.
The Portuguese midfielder holds it up well before laying it off to Rashford who comes on the overlap.
Looking to bend one in the far corner, Rashford does not get enough curl on it as it goes well wide of the post.
Man Utd 2-0 PAOK
90. That is his last action for the evening.
Zirkzee comes on to replace the misfiring Dane.
We are going to have four additional minutes.
Man Utd 2-0 PAOK
88. Hojlund runs through behind the defence.
He looks to lift it over the keeper but it ends up in the side netting.
His blushes are saved as the flag then goes up for offside.
The replay shows he was a good yard off having set off too early.
Sean Dyche take note.
Man Utd 2-0 PAOK
86. Casemiro is penalised for a handball and shown a yellow card for his troubles.
Man Utd seem happy to try and manage the game now.
Passing it around, not so keen to venture forward and hold onto what they have.
Credit: Alamy Man Utd 2-0 PAOK
84. Shola Shoretire comes on for the visitors now.
The former Man Utd player will want to make an impression.
However, the home fans will be hoping that does not happen.
Man Utd 2-0 PAOK
82. Credit where it is due to the travelling fans.
Despite being two-nil down, they are still all you can hear.
It would be nice to see PAOK get a goal now to make that long trip worthwhile.
Man Utd 2-0 PAOK
80. This is looking a more comfortable win now for the hosts.
It looks like Mason Mount is about to join the action.
He has spent more time in the treatment room than he has on the pitch since he joined from Chelsea.
The Man Utd ‘Mr Glass’.
It looks like he is replacing the hosts’ best player tonight, Amad Diallo.
View from SunSport’s Phil Thomas at Old Trafford
NO more fitting scorer of United’s opener than Amad…far and away their liveliest player on the night.
Fitting, too, that he was trying to nod back across goal rather than for the far corner. A misplaced header on a misfiring evening….
Man Utd 2-0 PAOK
78. That is the goal the home fans have been craving.
Amad does well to win the ball from the defender and cuts inside onto his favoured left-foot.
He looks to bend one in the far corner and the keeper cannot get anywhere near it, as it nestles into the back of the net.
Credit: PA Goal – Amad Diallo (Man Utd)
Man Utd 1-0 PAOK
76. The visitors are growing in confidence as the game goes on.
A needless foul from Casemiro gifts PAOK another free-kick.
It has all gone a bit quiet in Old Trafford apart from the away end now.
Man Utd 1-0 PAOK
74. Some nice passing from the hosts as they look turn defence into attack.
Hojlund is dispossessed far too easily and PAOK come forward once again.
Here is a bold claim, Rasmus will be leading the line for Everton in two seasons unless he sorts his game out.
Man Utd 1-0 PAOK
72. Rashford gives the ball away in his own half and it invites PAOK to come forward again.
The entire Man Utd team are dropping deep behind the ball now, looking to hold onto their lead.
It is sad to see really, how the mighty have fallen.
Man Utd 1-0 PAOK
70. PAOK are getting forward more now.
Their approach play looks good but again they are lacking that killer pass in the final third.
They force a corner on this occasion but it is hacked clear by Rashford.
Man Utd 1-0 PAOK
68. PAOK need to throw more players forward now.
They find themselves in the ‘early exit’ positions in Europa League currently.
Even a draw would not be seen as a positive result due to this.
Man Utd 1-0 PAOK
66. Man Utd make a triple substitution.
Martinez, Eriksen and Rashford join the game.
They replace Dalot, Ugarte and Garnacho.
The latter must be tired from his acrobatics.
Credit: AFP Man Utd 1-0 PAOK
64. What a chance for PAOK to score.
A fantastic pass picks out Tissoudali in the box with only Onana to beat.
His shot is poor and has no power behind it, allowing the Man Utd keeper to make a routine save.
I suppose that is why he plys his trade in the Greek Super League.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
